News
Institutions invited to indicate interest for the PolarFESTIVAL

During the IPY-OSC, on the 9th and the 10th of June, there will be a public PolarFESTIVAL in the Oslo city centre. Parts of the square in front of the Oslo Town Hall are reserved for this event. At the same time there will be a spectacular show of large and small research vessels in the harbour.
The PolarFESTIVAL will held in one of the most attractive public sites in the city centre. During summer the Town Hall Square, Aker Brygge and the rest the harbour is very popular with tourists and locals alike.
Tents will be put up along the quay to accommodate exhibits and booths. Research vessels docked and anchored in the bay will attract both participants in the conference and the public. On Wednesday the 9th all participants will pass through the area in the afternoon on their way to the barbeque and on Thursday the 10th youth from local schools will be specially invited to visit the PolarFESTIVAL.
Photo: Google Earth 3D
Oslo City Centre with the Town Hall, the square and the harbour.
Activities
Norwegian institutions are already planning their profiling activities. Now we are ready to receive indications of interest from international institutions.
The PolarFESTIVAL will be a suitable arena for showing how scientific activities are carried out in polar areas, the equipment needed to get there, survive there, make observations and collect data. It is of course also a place for presenting popular science results. Including small experiments, quiz or hand-outs is always well received.
It is the organisers' intention to showcase polar science, how polar science is done and why it is important. A secondary objective is to create a publicly accessible manifestation of IPY Oslo Science Conference and the extraordinary presence of polar scientists from all over the world.
Practical and economic arrangements
Institutions that want to have a booth at the PolarFESTIVAL need to send an email to ku@rcn.no to indicate their interest. The email should contain the following details:
• Name of institution
• Contact person / contact details
• A short description of what you plan to show or how you will use the space
• Indication of space required under e tented roof (square meters)
• Indication of large objects or displays to be placed outdoor - and space required for this (square meters)
• Indications of program the institution can offer if a small stage is provided for announcements, brief verbal
Standard tents will be available for free, with power outlets included, as far as space allows. All additional equipment is subject to order. The IPY-OSC secretariat will be able to arrange basic furniture, carpets, audio visual equipment and lights with local providers - or necessary equipment can be shipped in.
Standard tents come in sizes 3x3 meters, 3x5 meters and 5x5 meter.
Participating institutions will have to cover all shipping costs for material or objects, and all manpower needed to put up and staff the booth. The organiser will provide security.
Tents will be in place by mid day on the 8th for installation, and will have to be emptied and removed in the morning of the 11th.
Last updated: 09.03.2010